Jades running the distance to make a difference for MEAction

On Sunday 11th May I’m running my first Half Marathon in Leeds and I’d love to raise awareness and some money for the ME Action UK Charity which sits very close to my heart. It is also perfectly timed with ME Awareness Day on the 12th May.

In 2016 my mum contracted Laryngitis, an infection which usually you get better within a week or so. Sadly, my mum did not get better and this developed into Post Viral Fatigue, then later diagnosed as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This illness is completely debilitating physically, mentally and emotionally and has absolutely changed my mums life and our lives to support her each day. Worldwide, there are estimated to be 15-30 million people suffering. In 8.5 years my mum has progressed from being completely bed bound, and myself, my sister and my dad washing her, dressing her, cutting up her food, feeding her and so much more, to now her being able to occasionally complete some of these very basic actions on her own. CFS/ME doesn’t mean she’s constantly sleepy, it means she is exhausted. Exhausted from listening to conversations, music, tv, exhausted from sitting up, lifting an arm, picking up a water bottle, moving a clothing item, chewing food, thinking, reading and writing, and the list unfortunately goes on. Any small task she does such as eating some food, she then has to rest, by laying completely still, not listening or talking to anyone, just complete silence to build some energy back up for at least an hour or more.

Think of my mum as a phone battery, but her energy only charges to 10% daily not 100%, and all the apps in the background are her body organs just surviving using her energy. The remaining percentage she has left, she has to make a choice what to do for that day, whether it’s to shower, or to engage in a conversation. If she chooses both, the next day her battery may only charge to 5%. It’s a constant battle between living her limited life and surviving daily. I could write on and on about how this illness affects millions around the world, but I hope just from reading this snippet it helps others to learn more and understand some of the challenges my mum and family face daily.

Over the years my mum did build her energy up and was able to enjoy a social activity every few months for around 60 minutes in her wheelchair, the activity was very managed, with weeks of rest before and after, but this can change so quickly and recently shes been back bed bound.

The lack of research and understanding into this illness needs to change and it breaks my heart to watch my mums life be turned upside down. I’d love to raise some money whilst I run the half marathon and contribute towards some research to help others like my mum. She’s the strongest, most determined woman I know and she’s a true inspiration to keep on fighting everyday to get better. She will never get back to how she was pre-2016, however, she can keep fighting to push that energy level up a higher percentage one day in the future.

Thank you for reading, donating if you can, and wish me luck x